ALL MY INADEQUACIES AND FAILURES"As a youth, I hated myself for not being good enough. All my inadequacies and failures, not being kind enough, generous or understanding enough, would assail me at night. It became a habit to be guilty and self castigating, not liking myself because I was unworthy... I really tortured myself. ~ Mira Sorvino

Why would someone as beautiful and talented as Oscar-winning actress Mira Sorvino be so hard on herself? Ridiculous!.

The key to self-esteem is to conquer your Inner Critic, that nasty, negative inner voice that says, "Im fat. Im ugly. Im not worthy." The heartless critic compares you to others and finds you wanting. The critic expects perfection, remembers weaknesses and failures, and forgets strengths and successes.

Exorcise that Inner Critic!

Create an alternative, healthy, self-affirming voice of advocacy within yourself.

A key element of self-esteem is to realize that no one else can fill your place in the world.

Write down your major accomplishments of the past year. Look at the list. You may not win a Nobel Prize, but you HAVE made a difference in the lives of others. You affect your family, friends, and even your acquaintances and colleagues in big and little ways.

THE GREATEST HELP IS SELF HELP"I have come to discover through earnest personal experience and dedicated learning that ultimately the greatest help is self-help; that there is no other help but self-help doing one's best, dedicating oneself wholeheartedly to a given task. ~ Bruce Lee

Heres a self-help eye opener: Confide in someone you trust. Divulge your insecurities and be prepared for the jolt when this person tells you just how wonderful you are. 